Kitchen sink electric shocks

[Andy Ozimek]

Hello guys,

Could anyone kindly help with this : when kitchen kettle goes on there seem to be some current leak to the kitchen metal sink nearby. Please can you give few directions in terms of fault finding with this, what am I looking for, steps how to check, etc.

I am a domestic installer, familiar to safe isolation, etc. but never came across something like this. Thank you all for your time!

Kindest Regards
Andy

 

[davesparks]

Get an electrician in to find the fault ASAP before someone receives a serious electric shock from this

 

[Taylortwocities]

I do not want to be picky here, but electrocution means literally "to put to death by means of electricity.."
I hope that you do not mean that!!

Does this occur with something else (eg toaster)?
Does this occur if the kettle is used on another socket?

Things that you need to do immediately.
1. check that Main Protective Bonding is in place to water and/or other services and that is is actually connected to the MET.
Test the resistance of the bond.
2. Carry out an EFLI test on the socket in question
3. Check earth and insulation resistance on the kettle

 

[Darkwood]

Hi Andy .. I have edited your title for the thread for better clarity ..Thankyou.

 

[Andy Ozimek]

Thank you Taylor!

 

[Andy Ozimek]

Much appreciated!

 

[Andy Ozimek]

Dave, I will find the fault with help from people like Taylor. Thanks for your time anyway ��

 

[Pete999]

Hello guys,

Could anyone kindly help with this : when kitchen kettle goes on there seem to be some current leak to the kitchen metal sink nearby. Please can you give few directions in terms of fault finding with this, what am I looking for, steps how to check, etc.

I am a domestic installer, familiar to safe isolation, etc. but never came across something like this. Thank you all for your time!

Kindest Regards
Andy

You will probably think I'm being a git, but should you be dealing with this? you are a trainee and as such you really ought to have an Electrician take a look at this, as it could be quite difficult to find the fault, others will say "well he will never learn if he doesn't do this work" but please as others have said get a sparkie in to look at it. nothing to stop you asking him/her if you can help out, but it's best dealt with as a matter of urgency, and if you haven't already done so get yourself access to the trainee section, you will get lots of sensible help from the Mentors, oh and good luck.

 

[Andy Ozimek]

Hi Pete,

Thanks, where is this trainee section please?
A

 

[Leesparkykent]

http://www.electriciansforums.co.uk/apply-gain-access-trainee-only-forum/

 

[Andy Ozimek]

Pete, I am the only person on that section. No threads in last 100 days so unless I am looking at this thing in some retarded way, it was a very polite way of telling me to get lost.

Anyways, I will find the fault. Then I will fix it. I have PAT testing certificate, 2392 and 2395, 5 years of College of Electronics, common sense and determination to look for answers. Do not fob off newbies like me, you were one too remember?

 

[davesparks]

Pete, I am the only person on that section. No threads in last 100 days so unless I am looking at this thing in some retarded way, it was a very polite way of telling me to get lost.

Anyways, I will find the fault. Then I will fix it. I have PAT testing certificate, 2392 and 2395, 5 years of College of Electronics, common sense and determination to look for answers. Do not fob off newbies like me, you were one too remember?

That's the thread which explains how to get access to the trainee section, follow the instructions there and you will get access.

Nobody is fobbing you off, just trying to make you realise that this fault has the potential to kill someone and is not a good thing for an inexperienced person to have a go at.

 

[Spoon]

Hi Andy, I don't think that anyone is trying to fob you off. I just think that you may be interpreting the post the wrong way.
Its been quite a bit since I was at collage but with 5 years and your common sense I thought you would have at least tested the basics, unless you don't have the test equipment.

 

[Paul.M]

Hi Pete,

Thanks, where is this trainee section please?
A

What level are you at? Please apply to the TS and we will have a look.


ps.. any edited posts above are only due to title changes on each post as per DW's great idea to amend the tittle.

 

[telectrix]

Re: I owe Paul M a pint

what about the tattle, paul?

 

[Paul.M]

what about the tattle, paul?

ur? were did I say that Tel? You've just made me have a look through this thread for it you ******* lol.


The title was Kitchen sink "electrocution".... A bit too much for this fault lol. DW changed it, I helped out with the rest.

PS Tel, I like the title above your last post

 

[Pete999]

Pete, I am the only person on that section. No threads in last 100 days so unless I am looking at this thing in some retarded way, it was a very polite way of telling me to get lost.

Anyways, I will find the fault. Then I will fix it. I have PAT testing certificate, 2392 and 2395, 5 years of College of Electronics, common sense and determination to look for answers. Do not fob off newbies like me, you were one too remember?

See I told you you would get the wrong end of the stick, Yes I was an Apprentice once a long long time ago, and I didn't have the benefit of a forum like this to ask question (didn't have PCs in my time) I was not trying to fob anyone off, that's the last thing I would do, all I was saying was don't walk before you can crawl.

 

[telectrix]

haha. i'll buy you one next meet. the post was in response to your posting tittle instead of title.

 

[Paul.M]

haha. i'll buy you one next meet. the post was in response to your posting tittle instead of title.

You've got me on that Tel :rofl:

Japanese beer or something better next time?

 

[telectrix]

got some greek stuff, Socrates liked it, commonly called hemlock.

 

[DuaneMHunt1976]

Hello guys,

Could anyone kindly help with this : when kitchen kettle goes on there seem to be some current leak to the kitchen metal sink nearby. Please can you give few directions in terms of fault finding with this, what am I looking for, steps how to check, etc.

I am a domestic installer, familiar to safe isolation, etc. but never came across something like this. Thank you all for your time!

Kindest Regards
Andy

Just going to have to check out the whole kitchen (maybe JUST the kettle, but make sure nothing else is upsetting things)

Pat Test the Kettle, (Earth Leakage test, as well)
Try other Electrical goods in the same socket
Try other sockets

Sinks in the past were earthed, im wounderin what points you are testing between Sink and ?? Live/Neutral or Earth.
Maybe im not the best for this as im guessing too much.

 

[DuaneMHunt1976]

he had to buy his own Hemlock too

Not bad enough people saying you are a PAIN DROP DEAD AND DIE, but also making you buy your own Hemlock

 

[telectrix]

hence the saying at the bar..... "what's your poison?"

 

[marconi]

Hello guys,

Could anyone kindly help with this : when kitchen kettle goes on there seem to be some current leak to the kitchen metal sink nearby. Please can you give few directions in terms of fault finding with this, what am I looking for, steps how to check, etc.

I am a domestic installer, familiar to safe isolation, etc. but never came across something like this. Thank you all for your time!

Kindest Regards
Andy

By Marconi Dear Mr Ozimek, I have read the posts following yours and so am commenting after much wisdom has been offered for free by several electricians including those recognised as 'Trusted'. I write this post just to help you if in the future you write another.

First the presumption is that forum members are there to help and by and large do generously. It would be hard to tap into such a wealth of knowledge, experience and wisdom without this type of website. But to start of well it behoves the starter of a post, be he trainee or seasoned sparks, to provide as much background and description as he can and is necessary for readers to understand what the situation is, what the problem is, what you have done and tested already and what further advice you are asking for.

So, taking your post here are some points you might have included:

- Is the kitchen domestic, commercial or industrial (- we assume a domestic one because you describe yourself as a domestic installer).
- When the shock had been felt and by who what was he/she doing? eg: He touched the kettle with one hand and the sink with the other; he just touched the sink; the shock is sustained or akin to the shock of a discharge of static electricity. The fault has been present for some time or just become manifest. What kind of flooring in the kitchen? On the ground floor or nth floor.
- The kettle is new or old. I have tested its insulation resistance, L-N continuity and cpc continuity. The readings were...
- I measured the voltage between the sink and the Main Earth terminal with the kettle off and then when on. The reading was...
- The Distribution Board uses fuses, MCBs, RCBOs, RCDs...
- The socket the kettle is plugged into is connected to a final ring circuit, a radial circuit, a cooker switch with socket. I have examined its connections and found.... I have tested the circuit at the DB for IR, continuity,... the readings were ....
- The Earth system is TT, TNC-S, TNS
- Equipotential bonding has been observed and tested for gas, water, other?
- In the kitchen there is a washer, dryer, microwave.....

 

[nickblake]

First thing i'd do on this one is find out the earthing arrangment TT TNS TNCS etc as what you have described could well be due to an underlying fault on the incomming supply , especially if its a TNCS , if you get a neutral fault on the incomming supply with a tncs system then you will more than likley get shock off the bonded metal work so start off at the incommer check the the incomming supply is ok , some neutral faults may not show up unless under load , hence the reason it happens when the kettles on , I may be wrong but start and the supply and work forwards and end up at the kettle tester out

 

[egg67]

Just move the kettle away from the sink, job done bill them £250, go to pub and have a beer, all good.

 

[Paul.M]

Just move the kettle away from the sink, job done bill them £250, go to pub and have a beer, all good.

No, no, no..... First thing first! Stick the kettle on, do some tests on the sink, once its boiled turn off the power and make a brew. Then continue with the tests lol.